what is boba ?
What is Boba Made From?
Created in Taiwan in the 1980s, with much dispute over what exact region and shop originated it, bubble tea establishments began popping up in the United States by the '90s. Today, it's hard to visit any major city without seeing one of these trendy drink cafes, many of which serve snacks and treats alongside their specialty beverages. But what exactly is boba, the chewy little spheres at the bottom of your drink? You're about to find out:
Boba is made from tapioca starch, also known as cassava starch, which is why they're often also labeled as "tapioca pearls." They're small spheres that are often simmered in a brown sugar syrup to give them a sweet taste and dark black color. Boba is practically tasteless, making it easy to pair with a variety of drinks. There are also popping boba varieties, which are often colorful and filled with fruit-flavored syrups like strawberry or mango.
